The Ultimate Root Canal Quiz

If you're like most people, the thought of a root canal and the whirring sounds of dental tools makes you wince. Today's root canal procedures may surprise you, though. Expose the root of your knowledge in our ultimate root canal quiz.

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Question 1 of 21

Which of the following is part of the inside of your tooth?

crown

root

pulp

The pulp sits at the center of the tooth. It's composed of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, and runs right into the root of the tooth.

Question 2 of 21

Which part of the tooth is removed during a root canal procedure?

root

pulp

During a root canal, the pulp -- the inside part of the tooth -- is removed to treat infection or trauma.

cementum

Question 3 of 21

What type of problem can develop if bacteria and debris are able to get inside a tooth?

abscess

bone loss

all of the above

When a tooth becomes cracked, chipped or decayed, the injury may allow infection-causing bacteria to enter the pulp chamber. From there, infection can easily spread and cause tissue and bone damage.

Question 4 of 21

Which is not a sign that you may need a root canal?

severe toothache

nasal discharge or postnasal drip

Nasal discharge or postnasal drip along with tooth pain or sensitivity may be a symptom of sinusitis, but is typically not an indication root canal therapy is needed.

tooth discoloration

Question 5 of 21

Which branch of dentistry specializes in treating the inside of the tooth?

endodontics

Endodontics is the specialty of dentists who treat the pulp, or the inside of the tooth.

orthodontics

periodontics

Question 6 of 21

What is the first step in a root canal procedure?

tooth canals are cleaned

x-rays are taken

Your dentist will take x-rays of the affected tooth -- looking for a dark area at the root tip or the enlargement of the periodontal ligament -- to help determine if a root canal treatment is necessary.

an opening is drilled into the crown of the tooth

Question 7 of 21

True or false: Tooth extraction is a viable alternative to a root canal.

true

True, some patients may opt to have an injured tooth pulled rather than treated with a root canal procedure. Typically, missing teeth are then fit with dental implants or partials.

false

Question 8 of 21

Which of the following is used to fill the empty canal once the pulp has been removed from the inside of the tooth?

guayule

gutta-percha

Gutta-percha is latex derived from rubber trees. It's used to fill the empty root canal to prevent bacterial growth.

polyisobutylene

Question 9 of 21

In addition to its use in root canals, gutta-percha has also been used in which of the following?

golf balls

chewing gum

both of the above

Although it's lost favor to newer synthetic materials in recent years, gutta-percha has also been used in both of these items.

Question 10 of 21

What material does gutta-percha turn into when it's heated?

plastic

When heated to a boil and then cooled, gutta-percha transforms into hard plastic.

gel

thick, milky liquid

Question 11 of 21

True or false: A pimple or small sore on the gums may be a symptom of a tooth infection.

true

True. A stubborn pimple on the gums, along with swelling and tenderness, may be a sign that infection is present in the surrounding tissue.

false

Question 12 of 21

How many root canals are performed in the U.S. annually?

less than 1 million

between 5 and 8 million

more than 15 million

More than 15 million root canal procedures are performed each year in the United States.

Question 13 of 21

How many canals does a molar have?

1

1 or 2

3 or 4

Molars have three or four canals (but premolars just have one or two).

Question 14 of 21

With what tool does a dentist measure the size of a root canal?

an electric pulp tester

a periodontal probe

an apex locator

The electronic apex locator helps dentists accurately measure the length of the tooth and the root canal.

Question 15 of 21

Which of the following is NOT known to cause infection and inflammation of the tooth pulp?

repeated dental work on the tooth

injury or trauma

use of sealants in childhood

Use of dental sealants on primary teeth is not known to cause problems with nerves or tissue inside the tooth.

Question 16 of 21

True or false: Dentists normally would rather pull a tooth than perform a root canal.

true

false

False. While extraction used to be the standard treatment for infected or damaged teeth, modern dentistry focuses on saving a patient's tooth whenever possible.

Question 17 of 21

Which of the following tools shoots a mild electrical current through a tooth?

an electric pulp tester

The electric pulp tester is a hand-held diagnostic tool a dentist may use to test whether or not the pulp of a tooth is alive.

a periodontal probe

an apex locator

Question 18 of 21

How long does a root canal take?

just one visit

usually one to three visits

Typically, a root canal procedure is completed in one to three dental visits.

five or more visits

Question 19 of 21

True or false: After a root canal the tooth is dead.

true

false

False. Although the nerve has been removed, a tooth remains alive after a root canal treatment.

Question 20 of 21

Which will not prevent the need for a root canal?

wearing a mouth guard while playing sports

brushing twice a day

tooth whitening

Good oral hygiene, including regular dental check-ups and regular brushing and flossing, along with good safety habits, such as wearing mouth protection during sports, all help to prevent tooth injury that may lead to a root canal. Tooth whitening does not.